Hidden Gems of the Caribbean

Jamaica

Jamaica is a land that moves to its own ‘riddim’, an island with a vibe that’s very different to that of its Caribbean cousins. The third-largest isle in the Caribbean, Jamaica is somewhere the palm-fringed beaches, sugary sands, fiery sunsets and azure waters are aplenty, but this colourful country’s true asset is its vibrant culture and infectious energy.

Reggae plays from every street and beach shack, the smell of jerk chicken deliciously fills your nostrils and you can almost taste the rum punches on your tongue as soon as you land. But there’s history, culture and adventure around every corner. Hiking routes lace its interior patchwork of coffee plantations (we definitely recommend stopping for a cup), banana groves and mountain forests, a remote mosaic of natural marvels punctured by cascading waterfalls and cooling cerulean pools. The exciting activities extend further: navigate rushing rapids as you raft the Martha Brae River and clamber up the stunning tiers of Dunn’s River Falls. Thankfully, you don’t need Usain Bolt-like levels of fitness to explore these thrilling corners – just a sense of adventure and burst of energy inspired by the locals themselves.

Elsewhere, Jamaica’s north shores are renowned for excellent snorkelling and diving, with vibrant coral, nurse sharks and schools of tropical fish lying in wait for water babies to be wowed by. As you’re in the Caribbean, rest and relaxation is a must and Jamaica has an abundance of splendid sands fronting those glittering waters you can lounge on. Negril is home to Seven Mile Beach, a beautiful stretch of coastline, while all the way from Montego Bay to Ochos Rios in the north are countless more postcard-worthy spots.

Jamaica’s tropical beauty certainly inspired author Ian Fleming, creator of everyone’s favourite spy James Bond, who made the island his home (named

Round Hill Hotel & Villas

The Caves Montego Bay Airport Jamaica Inn

Goldeneye

Trident Hotel

Kingston Airport Strawberry Hill

GoldenEye, which is now a luxury hotel) and several James Bond movies have since been filmed here. That includes the first edition, Dr. No, when Ocho Rios played host to Bond girl Ursula Andress emerging from the ocean – one of the franchise’s most famous scenes. Dunn’s River Falls also makes an appearance in the movie. Parts of both Live and Let Die and No Time To Die were also filmed on the island. Don’t worry, though: there won’t be any espionage drama during your holiday in Jamaica. Here, you have a permanent licence to chill.

When you’re on the beach, the sound of jerk chicken sizzling on barbecues is never too far away. Just outside Ochos Rios, you can feast on salt fish, plaintain and jerk-inspired dishes at Scotchies, while these charming towns are only one reggae note away from erupting into a party – this is the home of Bob Marley, after all. Tasty cuisine and wonderful local encounters like this will only help you dive into the mindset of a Jamaican, where you can savour all the elements of their captivating culture. It’s a real sensory overload – in Jamaica, you don’t just visit the Caribbean, but experience it.

Jamaica’s true asset is its vibrant culture and infectious energy

Discover Jamaica

Luminous Lagoon

Like a blanket of lights dancing beneath the surface of the water, Jamaica’s Luminous Lagoon is one of only five bays in the world where bioluminescence occurs. Head out on a night cruise to see a spectacular light show unfold beneath your boat or jump into the enchanted waters for a swim to be surrounded by the lagoon’s otherworldly beauty.

Dunn’s River Falls

A stunning stepped cascade encased in pristine rainforest, take on the exhilarating climb up its unique sculpted limestone tiers, for a fine view over it in its magnificent entirety. Take it slow as you ascend the falls, relaxing in the tree-shaded lagoons and pools you’ll find along the way. Even when it’s busy, it’s an epic place to spend your time on a sunny Jamaican day.

Blue Mountains

So called because of the azure haze which hangs over this chain of emerald peaks, the Blue Mountains are Jamaica’s oldest natural feature. It’s a sprawling wilderness that’s a real joy to explore, whether it’s by 4x4 tracks or snaking walking trails. It’s home to a wealth of wildlife, including the western hemisphere’s largest butterfly, the giant swallowtail, and coffee plantations cover the mountains’ lower slopes.

Mystic Mountain

An eco-friendly family attraction set among a junglecovered peak, Mystic Mountain offers plenty of different ways to see the charming port town of Ocho Rios and surrounding scenery from a different angle. Get a bird’s-eye view from a chairlift which soars above the treetops or if you’ve seen Cool Runnings, you’ll want to recreate the heroic Jamaican team on the bobsled track through the rainforest.